Container blanks and containers

ABSTRACT

A carton blank ( 10 ) for forming a container, and comprising a row of body portion forming panels (P 1 -P 5 ) arranged side-by-side, the boundaries between said panels (P 1 -P 5 ) being defined by respective, substantially straight boundary lines of weakness (S 1 -S 4 ) extending from top to bottom of said panels (P 1 -P 5 ) substantially perpendicularly to said row, two adjacent boundary lines of weakness (S-S 4 ) each having disposed at one side thereof a supplemental line of weakness (S 11,  S 12,  S 21,  S 22,  S 31,  S 32,  S 31 ′, S 32 ′, S 41,  S 42 ), each supplemental line of weakness (S 11,  S 12,  S 21,  S 22,  S 31,  S 32,  S 41,  S 42 ) being substantially the length of a panel (P 1 -P 5 ).

This invention relates to container blanks, containers formed from theblanks, and methods and apparatus for forming the same.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda carton blank for forming a container, and comprising a row of bodyportion forming panels arranged side-by-side, the boundaries betweensaid panels being defined by respective, substantially straight boundarylines of weakness extending from top to bottom of said panelssubstantially perpendicularly to said row, two adjacent boundary linesof weakness each having disposed at one side thereof a supplemental lineof weakness, each supplemental line of weakness being substantially thelength of a panel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda carton blank for forming a container, and comprising a row of bodyportion forming panels arranged side-by-side, the boundaries betweensaid panels being defined by substantially straight boundary lines ofweakness extending from top to bottom of said panels, two adjacentboundary lines of weakness each having disposed at respective oppositesides thereof supplemental lines of weakness, each supplemental line ofweakness being at least half the length of a panel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda container comprising a loop of body portions, the boundaries betweensaid portions being defined by respective, substantially straightboundary lines of weakness extending from top to bottom of said portionssubstantially perpendicularly to said loop, two adjacent boundary linesof weakness each having disposed at one side thereof a supplemental lineof weakness, each supplemental line of weakness being substantially thelength of a portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda container comprising a loop of body portions, the boundaries betweensaid portions being defined by substantially straight boundary lines ofweakness extending from top to bottom of said portions, two adjacentboundary lines of weakness each having disposed at respective oppositesides thereof a supplemental line of weakness, each supplemental line ofweakness being at least half the length of a portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is providedapparatus for handling partially formed containers comprising aconveying device including a plurality of receiving portions forreceiving partially formed containers having a mid portion ofpredetermined cross-section, a filling device arranged to fill saidpartially formed containers, and a pressing device arranged to press onsaid mid portion so as to make said mid portion of roundercross-section.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for handling partially formed containers, comprising advancinga plurality of partially formed containers through a pressing device anda filling device, said partially formed containers having a mid portionof predetermined cross-section, pressing on said mid portion so as tomake said mid portion of rounder cross-section, and filling saidplurality of partially formed containers at the filling station.

Owing to these aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide acontainer solution which allows for substantial cost saving in the paperboard converting process, uses less material per blank for the sameliquid-product volume, improves the ergonomic properties of thecontainer, and which works on mandrel-based container-formingtechnology. The provision of supplemental lines of weakness allows thecontainer to bulge and provides an opportunity to lower the board-weightof the substrate within the packaging laminate. The system is suitablefor the gable-top and flat-top configurations. The design of thecontainer is such that it can be used with the existing machinery. Thesupplemental lines of weakness are provided on two adjacent verticalcorner edges of the formed container. They could be provided on three ofthe edges, or on all four edges of a rectangular cross-sectioncontainer. The supplemental lines of weakness in one embodiment can beprovided as a pair of supplemental lines of weakness disposed atrespective opposite sides of the boundary lines of weakness, each of thesupplemental lines of weakness in the pair being at least half theheight of a panel.

The invention provides the opportunity to save approximately 5 to 20 mmon the package height and at the same time be able to fill it with 1000ml liquid, which is achieved by pressing the partially formed containeron the substantially vertical corners after the bottom is formed on themandrel, and before and/or during the content being filled. Thisde-forming can continue during the filling by activating the additionalscore lines on the substantially vertical corners. After filling, thecontainer will take a new shape of its own accord, and the top can besealed. The pressing can also take place after the container has beenfilled and sealed, which has the advantage of being able to carry outthe pressing action outside of the forming, filling and sealing machine.The extent of bulging on the side walls will determine by how much lowerthe liquid level will become. Bulging is controlled by speciallydesigned, functional supplemental lines of weakness (score lines), andwill be recognized by the end user as an intentional design feature. Theresult will be a cheaper package with a new design appearance andexcellent ergonomic properties.

To avoid the negative bulging de-forming effect at material handling andlogistic levels (caused by the wider package), the container footprintcan be resized to 65×65 mm. In this case, the container will be slimmerand will fit in the logistic system in the same way as the standard70×70 mm 1 litre container. The container will be taller and moreelegant appearance-wise. However, when the container footprint isreduced, the taller more elegant container may provide a logisticalproblem with fitting into existing forming, filling and sealingmachinery. In such taller and elegant containers it is important to keepthe container as aesthetically pleasing as possible, by reducing theintentional bulging to a minimum. With a single supplemental line ofweakness disposed to one side of each of two adjacent boundary lines ofweakness, so that, for example, the two supplemental lines of weaknessare located on the front panel of the container, the intentional bulgingis restricted to the front panel and the taller container retains itselegant appearance.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a carton blank for a container including a quadrangular topobturating sub-panel, and disposed outwardly thereof, a top sealingsub-panel, a line of weakness separating said obturating sub-panel andsaid sealing sub-panel and bulging into said sealing sub-panel.

According to a eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda container including a top closure including a roof sub-panel and a topsealing sub-panel, said roof sub-panel bulging into said sealingsub-panel.

Owing to these aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide asub-panel for mounting, for example, a pour spout fitment, that islarger than a corresponding sub-panel that does not bulge into thesealing sub-panel. This supports a larger pour spout fitment.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a blankfor forming a container comprising a row of panels comprising first,second, third and fourth panels and a row of substantially rectangularend closure panels extending substantially parallely to said row ofpanels and comprised of first, second, third and fourth end closurepanels, each of the first and third end closure panels have disposedoutwardly thereof a respective end sealing panel extending across thewidth of the adjacent end closure panel, and each of the second andfourth end closure panels have disposed outwardly thereof a respectivepair of tabs, each tab extending across less than half the width of theadjacent end closure panel.

According to an tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided acontainer comprising a loop of body portions comprising first, second,third and fourth body portions and an end enclosure comprising folded-inend closure portions and comprised of first, second, third and fourthend closure portions, each connected to a respective body portion, eachof the first and third end closure portions being connected, at anopposite edge to the connection to a body portion, to a respective endsealing portion extending across the width of the adjacent end closureportion, and each of the second and fourth end closure portions beingconnected, at an opposite edge to the connection to a body portion, to arespective pair of tabs, each tab extending across less than half thewidth of the adjacent end closure portion, and a sealing fin comprisedof the end sealing portions and the pairs of tabs.

Owing to these aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide animproved end closure, when the blank is formed into a container. The endclosure is particularly suited for aseptic packaging applications, sincethere are no raw edges of paperboard material on the inside of thecontainer nor are there any apex points on the inside of the finishedcontainer, as the folding process results in apexes being on the outsideof the container.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a carton blank,

FIG. 2 is a side view of a container formed from a blank similar to theblank of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is side view of a pair of containers, each shown in three views,

FIG. 4 a is perspective view of an open top container, prior toactivation,

FIG. 4 b is perspective view of an open top container, followingactivation,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the carton blank,

FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of two containers,

FIGS. 6 b and 6 c are respective perspective and top diagrammatic viewsof a container similar to that of the container on the right-hand sideof FIG. 6 a,

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the carton blank,

FIGS. 8 to 21 show further embodiments of the blank,

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a container formed from a blank similarto the blank of FIG. 21,

FIGS. 23 to 27 show further embodiments of the blank,

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a container formed from the blank ofFIG. 25,

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a container formed from the blank ofFIG. 24,

FIG. 30 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 29,

FIG. 31 is a side view and a front view of a plastics insert,

FIG. 32 is a plan view of a further carton blank,

FIG. 33 is a plan view of a yet further carton blank,

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a container end closure at anintermediate stage of formation,

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the container end closure of FIG. 34 ata completed stage of formation, and

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the container end closure of FIG. 35from within the container.

FIG. 1 shows a carton blank 10 for forming a container, and comprises arow of panels P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 arranged side-by-side, theboundaries between the panels P1 to P5 being defined by respectiveboundary lines of weakness, being scorelines S1, S2, S3 and S4. Theboundary lines of weakness S1 to S4 are substantially straight andextend from top to bottom of the panels P1 to P5. Each of the panels P1to P4 will become a side of the ultimate container made from the blank10, and the boundary lines of weakness S1 to S4 make up the corner edgesof the container. The boundary lines of weakness S1 to S4 are each astraight continuous line starting at the top of a panel P1 to P5 andfinishing at the bottom of the respective panel P1 to P5. The boundarylines of weakness S1 to S4 are each substantially perpendicular to therow of panels P1 to P5.

Each of the boundary lines of weakness S1 to S4 have disposed atrespective opposite sides thereof supplemental lines of weakness S11,S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42. Each supplemental line of weaknessS11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 is at least half the height ofthe ultimate container, and have upper regions 12 and lower regions 14proximal to a respective boundary line of weakness S1 to S4, and have acentral region 16 further from the respective boundary line of weaknessS1 to S4 than either the upper or lower regions 12 and 14.

The supplemental line of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42are provided in the blank 10, so that when the blank 10 is ultimatelyformed into a container 18 (shown in FIG. 2), they are activated bysqueezing in the central region of the container, to result in anintentional bulge in the container. This bulge allows the container 18(once the lines of weakness are activated) to hold a greater volume ofcontent (for example, a fluid such as milk) for a given height ofcontainer. This is because a circular cross-section has a greater areathan the corresponding rectangular cross-section.

On the blank 10 each of the supplemental line of weakness S11, S12, S21,S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 of a pair of supplemental lines of weakness S11,S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42, located either side of a boundaryline of weakness S1-S4 define a sub-panel P6, P7, P8 and P9. Each of thesupplemental line of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42contact the respective boundary line of weakness S1 to S4 at the upperand lower regions 12 and 14.

To assist the formation of the bulge in the final container, the blank10 further comprises transverse lines of weakness S13, S23, S33, S43beginning at or near to a boundary line of weakness S1-S4 and extendingtowards a respective supplemental line of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22,S31, S32, S41, S42. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, these transverse linesof weakness S13, S23, S33, S43 actually begin at a boundary line ofweakness S1-S4 and terminate at a respective supplemental line ofweakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42. Each boundary line ofweakness S1-S4 is provided with a plurality of the transverse lines ofweakness S13, S23, S33, S43. The transverse lines of weakness S13, S23,S33, S43 provided on a boundary line of weakness S1-S4 are parallel.

The container 18 produced from the blank 10 helps to achieve low costpackaging by redesigning the existing carton configuration in a way thatwill allow for filling the same liquid volume in a carton of lesserheight (with the identical footprint), which additionally means usingless paperboard in the blank formation. For example, the blank will fill1000 ml of liquid in a standard 1000 ml carton which is shorter by 5 to20 mm. To achieve this goal, the blank 10 uses the fact that in bulgedcartons the height level of liquids drops.

However, since the first association of a consumer with a bulging cartonis that something is wrong with the content, this important issue mustbe solved. To overcome this problem, the blank 10 provides a designsolution which leads to the re-shaping of the package walls in a waythat clearly demonstrates to the consumer (via its appearance) theintention behind its unique design. The real “cost-saving” reason willnot necessarily be visible to the end user, but at the same time theconsumer will recognise the packaging shape as a novelty. To achievethis goal with design tools, the blank 10 is configured to actuallycontrol bulging with the additional scorelines, which are formed in away that follows and allows this bulging effect. The scorelines must beplaced in the right places to achieve the desired result.

To save approximately 5 to 20 mm on the package height and to be able tofill it with 1000 ml liquid, it is necessary to “squeeze” the package 18on the corners after the bottom is formed on the mandrel andbefore/during/after filling. If the squeezing is to occur before/duringfilling, the de-forming can continue during the filling by activatingthe additional scorelines on all four walls (corners). After filling,the package 18 will take a new shape of its own accord, and the top canbe sealed. The extent of bulging on the side walls will determine by howmuch lower the liquid level will become. Bulging will be controlled byspecially designed, functional score lines, and will be recognized as anintentional design feature. The result will be a cheaper package with anew design appearance and excellent ergonomic properties.

FIG. 3 illustrates a comparison between the container 18 and aconventional container 20. The container 18 a shows the container 18filled with a fluid content, which has not yet had the cornersactivated. Container 18 b shows the container 18 a after activation ofthe supplemental lines of weakness. The activation is executed bypressing on the container 18 in the middle region, which changes thecross-section of the container 18 from the predetermined rectangularcross-section to a more rounded cross-section. The activation of thecorners of the container 18 in FIG. 3 are shown as having been carriedout on a filled and sealed container 18, but the process of activatingthe supplemental lines of weakness can occur before or during thefilling process, prior to the top-sealing of the container 18.

Container 18 c is a final configuration of the container 18 after havingbeen filled, top-sealed, activated and is the end-product. The liquidlevel L as shown in containers 18 b and 18 c is lower than the liquidlevel L in the pre-activated container 18 a. The containers 20 have thesame footprint as the containers 18, yet the height of the containers 20exceeds that of the containers 18, while containing the same volume ofcontent. It can be seen that the liquid level L in container 20 b ishigher than the liquid level L in the corresponding container 18 b.

An example of the activation of the container 18, prior to top sealingof the container 18, is shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b. The container 18 ain FIG. 4 a has been filled, but not yet activated. The FIGS. 4 a and 4b show the liquid level L in 1000 ml container (which is 20 mm lowerthan a conventional container with the same footprint), filled with 1000ml of water, before and after the vertical curved score lines on allfour corners are activated and the container 18 squeezed. Depending uponthe amount of squeezing force and the shape and configuration of thecurved score-lines, the liquid level L will go down by between 5 to 25mm.

The container 18 provides a low-cost packaging configuration. In orderto use the existing mandrel carton forming technology, the container 18is provided with four vertical corners that are needed for the cartonforming on the mandrel, as well as the transportation through thefilling machine and downstream equipment. The design of the container issuch that standard logistic and material handling requirements aremaintained. The reconfiguration of the packaging construction is used toachieve a new and attractive carton visual appearance. An additionalresult from the carton design is that the ergonomic properties of thecontainer 18 are also improved.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the blank 10. This blank 10 isprovided with a hole 22 for receiving a pour spout fitment, when theblank 10 is formed into a finished container. The blank 10 is providedwith the supplemental lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32,S41, S42, which will ultimately be used, when the container 18 isformed, to allow the cross-section of the container to become morerounded. In this embodiment, each supplemental line of weakness S11,S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 is substantially the height of thefinished container, in length. Each supplemental line of weakness issubstantially the length of a panel P1 to P5. Each supplemental line ofweakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 does not contact arespective boundary line of weakness S1 to S4.

FIG. 6 a shows two examples of containers 18 that have been formed,filled and sealed, a gable-top container shown on the left-hand side anda flat-top container shown on the right-hand side. The provision of thelines of weakness at the corners of the containers 18 allows thesecontainers to bulge outwards, when the scorelines are activated by theapplication of pressure (shown by the arrows in FIGS. 6 b and 6 c) atthe middle portion 19 of the containers 18 where the sub-panels P6 to P9are at their widest. The application of pressure at the middle portion19 is advantageously directly on to the boundary lines of weakness S1 toS4 at an obtuse angle relative to the vertically orientated panels P1 toP4 (as shown in FIGS. 6 b and 6 c), the obtuse angle being preferablyapproximately 135°. The scorelines at the corners of the containers 18can be used with square and rectangular flat-top and gable-top cartons.

A third embodiment of the blank 10 is shown in FIG. 7. The blank 10 isprovided with the supplemental line of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31,S32, S41, S42 and transverse lines of weakness S13, S23, S33, S43 (whichstop before reaching the supplemental lines of weakness). Each pair ofsupplemental lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42around respective boundary lines of weakness S1 to S4 define sub-panelsP6 to P9. As before, when this blank 10 is formed into a container 18which would have a flat-top configuration rather than a gable-topconfiguration, the sub-panels P6 to P9 are pressed inwards to change thecross-section of the container 18, to make the container 18 morerounded.

The blank 10 shown in FIG. 7 is a so-called centre-seam design. Theblanks 10 of FIGS. 1 and 5 show a corner-seam design. This refers to theultimate location of the seam when the blank 10 is wrapped around amandrel on the forming machine and sealed into a container sleeve. Atthe location of the seam, an overlap 24 of the blank (which is boundedby the dotted line 26) wraps under the other side of the blank 10. Thedesign of FIG. 7 results in the overlap being present in the centre of abody portion rather than at the corner as in the blank of FIGS. 1 and 5.This means that the blank of FIG. 7, when formed into a container, doesnot have a double layer of material at one corner (which is the casewith the blanks 10 of FIGS. 1 and 5). This means that all of the cornersin the container 18 formed from the blank 10 of FIG. 7 require the sameamount of pressure to press inwards.

The carton blank 10 of FIG. 7 includes a quadrangular top obturatingsub-panel P10, and disposed outwardly thereof, a top sealing sub-panelP11, a line of weakness S50 separating the obturating sub-panel P10 fromthe sealing sub-panel P11 and bulging into the sealing sub-panel P11.The line of weakness S50 that is separating the obturating sub-panel P10and the sealing sub-panel P11 is arcuate. The obturating sub-panel P10includes a hole 22 for receiving a pour-spout fitment. The line ofweakness S50 separating the obturating sub-panel P10 and the sealingsub-panel P11 is continuous along the boundary between the obturatingsub-panel P10 and the sealing sub-panel P11. The blank 10 furthercomprises a second line of weakness S52 separating the obturatingsub-panel P10 from a body sub-panel P3 and bulging into the bodysub-panel P3. This second line of weakness S52 separating the obturatingsub-panel P10 and said body sub-panel P11 is also arcuate. The shape ofthe lines of weakness S50 and S52 allow for a larger opturatingsub-panel P10 and thus a larger hole 22 for a larger pour-spout fitment.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the blank 10. This blank 10 issimilar to the blank 10 shown in FIG. 1, but the supplemental lines ofweakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 terminate before theyreach the boundary lines of weakness S1 to S4. In addition there isprovided, between each pair of supplemental lines of weakness, a singletransverse line of weakness S13, S23, S33, S43 which is provided atsubstantially the half way point in the blank 10, and is perpendicularto the respective boundary lines of weakness S1 to S4. Additional linesof weakness S54 are provided that run from the supplemental lines ofweakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 to the boundary lines ofweakness S1 to S4. These additional lines of weakness S54 in the upperregion 12 form a “V” shape, and in the lower portion 14, form in aninverted “V” shape.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the blank 10. This blank 10 issimilar to the blank 10 shown in FIG. 8, but has further obliquetransverse line of weakness S13, S23, S33, S43 running from thesupplemental lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 tothe boundary lines of weakness S1 to S4.

FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of the blank 10. This blank 10 issimilar to the blank 10 shown in FIG. 5, but the supplemental lines ofweakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 are shaped differently.In FIG. 10, the central region 16 of the supplemental lines of weaknessbulges further from the respective adjacent boundary line of weakness S1to S4. There is a single transverse line of weakness S13, S23, S33, S43between each pair of supplemental lines of weakness, which terminatebefore they reach the supplemental lines of weakness.

FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of the blank 10. The supplementallines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 terminatebefore they reach the boundary lines of weakness S1 to S4. Each pair ofthe supplemental lines of weakness are provided with two oblique andcrossing transverse line of weakness S13, S23, S33, S43 running from asupplemental line of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42through the boundary lines of weakness S1 to S4 to the othersupplemental line of weakness of the pair. Each supplemental line ofweakness is composed of three substantially straight portions ratherthan one or more curved portions.

FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of the blank 10. This blank 10 issimilar to the blank 10 shown in FIG. 1, but the supplemental lines ofweakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 extend the entire lengthof the sub-panels that ultimately form the sides of the finishedcontainer 18.

FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of the blank 10. This blank 10 issimilar to the blank 10 shown in FIG. 1, but has no transverse lines ofweakness. FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment of the blank 10. This blank10 is similar to the blank 10 shown in FIG. 1, but has a pair ofparallel transverse lines of weakness S13, S23, S33, S43 in-between eachpair of supplemental lines of weakness, in the central region 16. FIG.15 shows a further embodiment of the blank 10. This blank 10 is similarto the blank 10 shown in FIG. 8, but the scorelines S54 aresubstantially perpendicular to the boundary lines of weakness S1 to S4.

FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment of the blank 10. This blank 10 issimilar to the blank 10 shown in FIG. 5, but the supplemental lines ofweakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 are shorter in length.FIG. 17 shows a further embodiment of the blank 10. This blank 10 issimilar to the blank 10 shown in FIG. 14, but the supplemental lines ofweakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 extend the entire lengthof the sub-panels that ultimately form the sides of the finishedcontainer 18.

FIG. 18 shows a further embodiment of the blank 10. In this blank 10,the supplemental lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41,S42 are formed by two substantially straight lines. Each pair ofsupplemental lines of weakness forms a respective diamond shapesub-panel P6 to P9. The blank 10 is also provided with a single straighttransverse line of weakness S56, which is located at the central region16 of the blank 10 and bisects each of the diamond shape sub-panels P6to P9 at the widest point, and the panels P1 to P5. FIG. 19 shows afurther embodiment of the blank 10. This blank 10 is similar to theblank 10 shown in FIG. 18, but the diamond-shaped sub-panel P6 to P9include further transverse lines of weakness S13, S23, S33, S43,parallel to the transverse line of weakness S56.

FIG. 20 shows a further embodiment of the blank 10 in which two adjacentboundary lines of weakness S1 and S2 have respective pairs ofsupplemental lines of weakness S12, S21, S22 and S31 associatedtherewith. The blank 10 is provided with transverse lines of weakness,as described above with reference to other embodiments. The containerthat is formed from the blank 10 of FIG. 20, when the supplemental linesof weakness S12, S21, S22 and S31 have been activated, provides bulgingof three of the four sides of the resulting container. The blank 10 issimilar to the blank 10 of FIG. 7, in that it is provided with a line ofweakness S50, which allows a larger obturating sub-panel P10. Inaddition, the blank 10 of FIG. 20 also includes a further line ofweakness S51 on an opposing obturating sub-panel P20, which separatesthe sub-panel P20 from a top sealing sub-panel P21, and bulges into theobturating sub-panel P20. This line of weakness S51 is equal andopposite to the line of weakness S50, and when the container is formedfrom the blank 10, in a gable top configuration, then thesecomplimentary two lines of weakness S50 and S51 ensure a satisfactorytop fin.

FIG. 21 shows a further embodiment of the blank 10 for forming acontainer 18 (shown in FIG. 22), which has a reduced footprint sizecompared to a standard footprint, for example the container 18 formedfrom the blank of FIG. 21 has a footprint of 66 mm×66 mm compared to astandard 70 mm×70 mm for a 1 litre container. In this embodiment, twoadjacent boundary lines of weakness S2 and S3 have respective singlesupplemental lines of weakness S31′ and S32′ associated therewith withboth supplemental lines of weakness S21′ and S22′ being located on thefront panel P3, the sub-panels P7 and P8 in this embodiment beingdefined and bounded by respective supplemental lines of weakness S31′and S32′ and boundary lines of weakness S2 and S3. In this way, theintentional bulging of the panels, when the supplemental lines ofweakness S31′ and S32′ have been activated, is restricted to the frontpanel P3. The blank 10 is also provided with transverse lines ofweakness S23 and S33, as described above with reference to otherembodiments.

FIG. 23 shows a yet further embodiment of the blank 10 which issubstantially the same as the blank 10 shown in FIG. 21 except that thetransverse lines of weakness S60 are longer and begin at a boundary lineof weakness S1 and S4 and extend across a second boundary line ofweakness S2 and S3 towards a supplemental line of weakness S31′ andS32′. This transverse line of weakness S60 divides into two lines ofweakness after crossing the respective boundary line of weakness S2 orS3 and terminates before the supplemental line of weakness. The blank 10could be provided with additional supplemental lines of weakness asdescribed above on opposite sides of the second boundary line ofweakness S2 and S3 and in this case the transverse lines of weakness S60will cross the respective additional supplementary line of weakness.

When a container is formed from the blank 10 of FIG. 23 it is activatedby pressing on the container in the middle region, to activate thesupplemental score lines S31′ and S32′ and the transverse score linesS60. This results in a container with a more rounded cross-section inthe middle region. The longer transverse lines of weakness S60, whencompared to the shorter transverse lines of weakness S23 and S33 of FIG.21, are less likely to crack the laminate material from which the blankis made, when they are activated. The extension of the transverse linesof weakness S60, along the whole side panels P2 and P4, is important forthe activation of front sub-panels (in the activator) without producingcracks in paperboard on the side walls. The lines S60 guide the forcesin the paper structure produced by squeezing, all the way along theextended score lines S60 without allowing cracks. At the same time, thescore lines S60 are forming a grip area giving an ergonomic advantage.

A further embodiment of the elongate transverse lines of weakness S60 isshown in FIG. 24. A pair of transverse lines of weakness S60 areprovided, which begin at the boundary line of weakness S1 and S4 andextend across the second boundary line of weakness S2 and S3 andterminate on the supplemental line of weakness S31′ and S32′. The pairof transverse lines of weakness S60 define a sub-panel P30. When acontainer is formed from the blank 10 of FIG. 24, the sub-panel P30provides a target area for a user to hold when they are pouring thefluid contents from the container. FIGS. 25 to 27 show furtherembodiments of the blank 10 using the elongate transverse lines ofweakness S60.

FIG. 28 shows a container 18 made from the blank 10 of FIG. 25. Thetransverse lines of weakness S60 can be seen, as can the supplementallines of weakness S31′ and S32′. The cross-section of the container 18in the middle region is more rounded, as the container 18 has beenactivated by pressing on this middle region to activate the variousscore lines. The activation of the lines of weakness S21′ and S31′ cantake place before, after or during the filling of the container 18 withits fluid contents. FIG. 29 shows a container 18 as manufactured fromthe blank 10 of FIG. 24. The two transverse lines of weakness S60 definethe sub-panel P30 which can be highlighted with printed material as thegrip area for the user to hold the container 18, when they are pouringthe fluid contents from the container.

The effect of the user's holding of the container 18, and the activationof the grip area P30 provide a functional improvement. During thepouring of the contents from the container 18, the back panel P1 remainsthe same shape, however, the front panel P3 collapses along thesupplemental lines of weakness S31′, S32′ through the gripping of theuser and the weight of the contents and has a width less than the backpanel P3. This makes a very safe and pleasant cross-section for the userat the middle section of the container 18, where the grip sub-panel P30is placed. Referring to FIG. 30, the cross-sectional profiles of themiddle section of the container 18 are shown before activation (shown bythe profile PF1) and after activation and gripping (shown by the profilePF2). When the container 18 has the profile PF2 at its mid-section thenthe back panel P1 remains the same width as in the profile PF1 whilstthe front panel P3 collapses as aforesaid to a narrower width than as inthe profile PF1 resulting in an intentional bulge at the front of thecontainer 18 as pouring takes place.

FIG. 31 shows two views of a plastics insert 60. The insert 60 has aprofile corresponding to the sub-panels P6 to P9 of FIGS. 1 and 2 andincludes a vertical indent 62 running the entire length of the insert 60which corresponds to the boundary lines of weakness S1 to S4 in theblank 10. The insert 60 also includes horizontal ribs 64, which likewisecorrespond to the transverse lines of weakness S13, S23, S33 and S43 ofthe blank 10. The shape and configuration of the insert 60 can be suchthat it matches any of the corresponding panels and lines of weakness ofother embodiments of the blank 10. Instead of the horizontal ribs 64,the plastics insert 60 can have various suitable surface designs.

The insert 60 is formed of plastics material such as any polyolefinplastics or rubber material, and can be provided in any colour. Theinsert 60 is designed to be post-applied to the container 18 that isformed from the blank 10, at any or all of the vertical corners of thatcontainer 18. The length of the plastics insert 60 is preferablysubstantially equal to the length of an adjacent supplemental line ofweakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42, and the same shape as abody sub-portion P6 to P9 to which the plastics insert 60 is attached.The insert 60 assists in providing an aesthetic container (for examplethrough the use of different colours), provides better containerstability through support of the container edges and improves theergonomic properties of the container.

FIGS. 32 and 33 show two embodiments of a blank 10′, the blank 10′ beingfor forming a container. In both embodiments, the blank 10′ comprises arow of panels P1 to P4 comprising first, second, third and fourth panelsP1 to P4. The blank 10′ also comprises a row of substantiallyrectangular end closure panels P12 to P15 extending substantiallyparallely to the row of panels P1 to P4 and comprised of first, second,third and fourth end closure panels P12 to P15. Each of the first andthird end closure panels P12, P14 have disposed outwardly thereof arespective end sealing panel P17, P18 extending across the width of theadjacent end closure panel P12, P14. Each of the second and fourth endclosure panels P13, P15 have disposed outwardly thereof a respectivepair of tabs T1 to T4, each tab extending across less than half thewidth of the adjacent end closure panel P13, P15.

The blank 10′ also comprises a fifth panel P5 having disposed outwardlythereof a fifth end closure panel P16, the fifth end closure panel P16having disposed outwardly thereof an end sealing panel P19 extendingacross the width of the fifth end closure panel P16. Each tab T1 to T4is connected to an adjacent end sealing panel P17 to P19, and the widthof each tab T1 to T4 is substantially equal. The tabs T1 to T4 are inpairs, and each tab T1 to T4 of a pair of tabs T1, T2 and T3, T4 aresubstantially equal and opposite in shape. The depth of each tab T1 toT4 is substantially equal to the depth of each sealing panel P17 to P19.

The design of the end closure panels P12 to P16, end sealing panels P17to P19 and tabs T1 to T4 is to provide an improved end closure, when theblank 10′ is formed into a container. The end closure is particularlysuited for aseptic packaging applications, since there are no raw edgesof paperboard material on the inside of the container nor are there anyapex points on the inside of the finished container, as the foldingprocess (described in more detail below) means that the apexes are onthe outside of the container. An apex point occurs when a panel isfolded to form a triangular shaped sub-panel. An apex point isparticularly susceptible to ingress of the fluid contents of thecontainer, once that container has been filled. The blank 10′ can befolded on a mandrel, when the end closure is being formed.

The blanks 10′ of FIGS. 32 and 33 differ in that the blank 10′ of FIG.32 is forming a container having a centre seam down the rear body panel,and the blank 10′ of FIG. 33 is for forming a container having a sideseam extending along one corner edge of the container. When the blank10′ is provided with the supplemental lines of weakness S11, S12, S21,S22, S31, S32, S41, S42, it is advantageous to have a centre seam on thefinished container, otherwise the lines of weakness present at thecorner where the container is sealed first panel P1 to fifth panel P5discourage the activation of the supplemental lines of weakness at thatcorner. The end closure provided by the blank 10′ of FIGS. 32 and 33 isparticularly suitable for use with a centre seamed container, such asthat formed from the blank 10′ of FIG. 32. This is because many standardend closure configurations become sub-optimal, when used with acontainer that is designed to be centre seamed. For example, somestandard end closure configurations will end up with the centre seampassing through the apex of a sub-panel in the bottom end closure, whichincrease in the likelihood of content leaking or content ingress intothe paperboard substrate.

FIG. 34 shows the end closure 70 at a partial stage of formation. Thesecond and fourth end closure panels P13 and P15 have first and secondoblique lines of weakness which divide the respective end closure panelsP13 and P15 into triangular sub-panels. As the end closure 70 is formed,end closure panel P14 and the combined end closure panel P12 and P16which are opposite, are folded in towards each other. This results inthe end closure panels P13 and P15 folding into their triangularsub-panels, as can be seen in FIG. 34. The tabs T1 to T4 and the sealingpanels P17 to P19 are ultimately sealed face-to-face to form a sealingfin 72. This fin 72 is folded flat to the bottom of the container. Theend closure 70 is completed by the apexes A1 and A2 being foldedinwardly to be sealed flat to the bottom of the container, as can beseen in FIG. 35. The interior of the end closure 70 is shown in FIG. 36.The folding of the bottom closure 70 is such that no apexes are presentwithin the interior of the container, nor are there any exposed rawedges of paperboard.

1-73. (canceled)
 74. A carton blank for forming a container, andcomprising a row of body portion forming panels arranged side-by-side,the boundaries between said panels being defined by respective,substantially straight boundary lines of weakness extending from top tobottom of said panels substantially perpendicularly to said row, twoadjacent boundary lines of weakness each having disposed at one sidethereof a supplemental line of weakness, each supplemental line ofweakness being substantially the length of a panel.
 75. A carton blankfor forming a container, and comprising a row of body portion formingpanels arranged side-by-side, the boundaries between said panels beingdefined by substantially straight boundary lines of weakness extendingfrom top to bottom of said panels, two adjacent boundary lines ofweakness each having disposed at respective opposite sides thereofsupplemental lines of weakness, each supplemental line of weakness beingat least half the length of a panel.
 76. A blank according to claim 74,wherein each of each supplemental line of weakness is located on one ofsaid row of panels.
 77. A blank according to claim 74, and furthercomprising an additional supplemental line of weakness, wherein saidadjacent boundary lines of weakness have disposed at respective oppositesides thereof a pair of supplemental lines of weakness.
 78. A blankaccording to claim 74, wherein each supplemental line of weakness doesnot contact a respective boundary line of weakness.
 79. A blankaccording to claim 74, and further comprising transverse lines ofweakness beginning at or near to a boundary line of weakness andextending towards a respective supplemental line of weakness.
 80. Ablank according to claim 75, wherein each supplemental line of weaknessis substantially the length of a panel.
 81. A blank according to claim74, and further comprising a transverse line of weakness beginning at ornear to a boundary line of weakness and extending across a secondboundary line of weakness towards a supplemental line of weakness.
 82. Acontainer comprising a loop of body portions, the boundaries betweensaid portions being defined by respective, substantially straightboundary lines of weakness extending from top to bottom of said portionssubstantially perpendicularly to said loop, two adjacent boundary linesof weakness each having disposed at one side thereof a supplemental lineof weakness, each supplemental line of weakness being substantially thelength of a portion.
 83. A container comprising a loop of body portions,the boundaries between said portions being defined by substantiallystraight boundary lines of weakness extending from top to bottom of saidportions, two adjacent boundary lines of weakness each having disposedat respective opposite sides thereof a supplemental line of weakness,each supplemental line of weakness being at least half the length of aportion.
 84. A container according to claim 82, wherein eachsupplemental line of weakness is located on one of said loop of bodyportions.
 85. A container according to claim 82, and further comprisingan additional supplemental line of weakness, wherein said adjacentboundary lines of weakness have disposed at respective opposite sidesthereof a pair of supplemental lines of weakness.
 86. A containeraccording to claim 82, wherein each supplemental line of weakness doesnot contact a respective boundary line of weakness.
 87. A containeraccording to claim 82, and further comprising transverse lines ofweakness beginning at or near to a boundary line of weakness andextending towards a respective supplemental line of weakness.
 88. Acontainer according to claim 83, wherein each supplemental line ofweakness is substantially the height of the container, in length.
 89. Acontainer according to claim 82, and further comprising a transverseline of weakness beginning at or near to a boundary line of weakness andextending across a second boundary line of weakness towards asupplemental line of weakness.
 90. A container according to claim 82,and further comprising a plastics insert attached to a boundary line ofweakness.
 91. A container according to claim 90, wherein the plasticsinsert is substantially the same shape as a body sub-portion to whichsaid plastics insert is attached.
 92. Apparatus for handling partiallyformed containers comprising a conveying device including a plurality ofreceiving portions for receiving partially formed containers having amid portion of predetermined cross-section, a filling device arranged tofill said partially formed containers, and a pressing device arranged topress on said mid portion so as to make said mid portion of roundercross-section.
 93. Apparatus according to claim 92, wherein eachpartially formed container comprising a loop of body portions, theboundaries between said portions being defined by boundary lines ofweakness, two adjacent boundary lines of weakness having disposed at oneside thereof a supplemental line of weakness, each supplemental line ofweakness being at least half the height of the container, having upperand lower regions proximal to a respective boundary line of weakness andhaving a central region further from the respective boundary line ofweakness than either the upper or lower region, and said pressing deviceis further arranged to activate the supplemental lines of weakness. 94.Apparatus according to claim 93, wherein said pressing device isarranged to activate the supplemental lines of weakness, prior to saidfilling station being arranged to fill said partially formed containers.95. Apparatus according to claim 93, wherein said pressing device isarranged to activate the supplemental lines of weakness, during saidfilling station being arranged to fill said partially formed containers.96. A method for handling partially formed containers, comprisingadvancing a plurality of partially formed containers through a pressingdevice and a filling device, said partially formed containers having amid portion of predetermined cross-section, pressing on said mid portionso as to make said mid portion of rounder cross-section, and fillingsaid plurality of partially formed containers at the filling station.97. A method according to claim 96, wherein each partially formedcontainer comprising a loop of body portions, the boundaries betweensaid portions being defined by boundary lines of weakness, two adjacentof said boundary lines of weakness having disposed at one side thereof asupplemental line of weakness, the supplemental line of weakness beingat least half the height of the container, having upper and lowerregions proximal to a respective boundary line of weakness and having acentral region further from the respective boundary line of weaknessthan either the upper or lower region, and activating the supplementallines of weakness at the pressing device.
 98. A method according toclaim 97, wherein said activating of the supplemental lines of weakness,occurs prior to the filling of said partially formed containers.
 99. Amethod according to claim 97, wherein said activating of thesupplemental lines of weakness, occurs during the filling of saidpartially formed containers.
 100. A carton blank for a containerincluding a quadrangular top obturating sub-panel, and disposedoutwardly thereof, a top sealing sub-panel, a line of weaknessseparating said obturating sub-panel and said sealing sub-panel andbulging into said sealing sub-panel.
 101. A blank according to claim100, wherein said line of weakness separating said obturating sub-paneland said sealing sub-panel is arcuate.
 102. A blank according to claim100, wherein said line of weakness separating said obturating sub-paneland said sealing sub-panel is continuous along the boundary between saidobturating sub-panel and said sealing sub-panel.
 103. A blank accordingto claim 100, and further comprising a second line of weaknessseparating said obturating sub-panel from a body sub-panel and bulginginto said body sub-panel.
 104. A blank according to claim 100, andfurther comprising a second quadrangular top obturating sub-panel anddisposed outwardly thereof, a second top sealing sub-panel, a third lineof weakness separating said obturating sub-panel and said sealingsub-panel and bulging into said obturating sub-panel.
 105. A blankaccording to claim 104, wherein said third line of weakness issubstantially equal and opposite to the first line of weakness.
 106. Acontainer including a top closure including a roof sub-panel and a topsealing sub-panel, said roof sub-panel bulging into said sealingsub-panel.
 107. A container according to claim 106, wherein said roofsub-panel bulging into said sealing sub-panel defines an arcuate line ofweakness.
 108. A container according to claim 107, wherein said line ofweakness is continuous along the boundary between said roof sub-paneland said top sealing sub-panel.
 109. A container according to claim 106,and further comprising, adjacent said roof sub-panel, a body portion,said roof sub-panel, bulging into said body portion.
 110. A containeraccording to claim 106, and further comprising a second roof sub-paneland a second top sealing sub-panel, a third line of weakness separatingsaid second roof sub-panel and said second top sealing sub-panel andbulging into said roof sub-panel.
 111. A container according to claim110, wherein said third line of weakness is substantially equal andopposite to the first line of weakness.
 112. A blank for forming acontainer comprising a row of panels comprising first, second, third andfourth panels and a row of substantially rectangular end closure panelsextending substantially parallely to said row of panels and comprised offirst, second, third and fourth end closure panels, each of the firstand third end closure panels have disposed outwardly thereof arespective end sealing panel extending across the width of the adjacentend closure panel, and each of the second and fourth end closure panelshave disposed outwardly thereof a respective pair of tabs, each tabextending across less than half the width of the adjacent end closurepanel.
 113. A blank according to claim 112, and further comprising afifth panel having disposed outwardly thereof a fifth end closure panel,said fifth end closure panel having disposed outwardly thereof an endsealing panel extending across the width of the fifth end closure panel.114. A blank according to claim 113, wherein each tab is connected to anadjacent end sealing panel.
 115. A blank according to claim 112, whereinthe width of each tab is substantially equal.
 116. A blank according toclaim 112, wherein each tab of a pair of tabs are substantially equaland opposite in shape.
 117. A blank according to claim 112, wherein thedepth of each tab is substantially equal to the depth of each sealingpanel.
 118. A container comprising a loop of body portions comprisingfirst, second, third and fourth body portions and an end enclosurecomprising folded-in end closure portions and comprised of first,second, third and fourth end closure portions, each connected to arespective body portion, each of the first and third end closureportions being connected, at an opposite edge to the connection to abody portion, to a respective end sealing portion extending across thewidth of the adjacent end closure portion, and each of the second andfourth end closure portions being connected, at an opposite edge to theconnection to a body portion, to a respective pair of tabs, each tabextending across less than half the width of the adjacent end closureportion, and a sealing fin comprised of the end sealing portions and thepairs of tabs.
 119. A container according to claim 118, and furthercomprising a fifth body portion being connected to a fifth end closureportion, said fifth end closure portion being connected, at an oppositeedge to the connection to the body portion, to an end sealing portionextending across the width of the fifth end closure portion.
 120. Acontainer according to claim 119, wherein each tab is connected to anadjacent end sealing portion.
 121. A container according to claim 118,wherein the width of each tab is substantially equal.
 122. A containeraccording to claim 118, wherein each tab of a pair of tabs aresubstantially equal and opposite in shape.
 123. A container according toclaim 118, wherein the depth of each tab is substantially equal to thedepth of each sealing portion.